Log bunk with remotely releasable stake



March 25, 1958 D. R. HASSELL LOG BUNK WITH REMOTELY RELEASABLE STAKE Filed Sept. 16, 1955 uvmvrom Dennis R.Hass 6]] J NM. g 1 M Hw .H-. -H///4////// v .v oh I LOG BUNK WITH REMOTELY RELEASABLE STAKE Dennis R. Hassell, Asllland, Oreg., assignor to Hassells,

Inc., Ashland, Oreg., a corporation of Oregon 7 Application September 16, 1955, Serial No. 534,714

2 Claims. (Cl. 280-145) This invention relates to log bunks of the class used for" retaining and supporting logs on trucks, railroad cars and other vehicles.

Vehicles employed in transporting logs are provided with two or more bunks extending transversely of the vehicle body at spaced intervals and provided at their ends with stakes for retaining the logs loaded on the vehicle. After the load has been transported to its destination and is ready to be discharged, the stakes are released, permitting the logs to roll off the vehicle. Because of the great weight and cumbersome character of the logs, their in the herein described log bunk assembly, partly broken away to show the interior construction; and

Fig. 3 is-a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Generally stated, the herein described log bunk comprises a frame adapted for mounting transversely of 'a vehicle, a stake, a latch positioned for engaging the stake,

and means for'mounting the latch pivotally to the frame.

Provision also is made forlocking the latch in position so that the stake can not be tripped inadvertently. Still further, means are provided for tripping the stake from a remote station, and for sealing the working parts of the bunk and stake against the entry of dirt and debris.

InFig. 1 the log bunk of the present invention is illustrated with the left hand stake upright in its latched, log retaining position, and its right hand stake in its unlatched, log discharging position. The bunk itself comprises a frame 10, the length of which is substantially equal to the width of the vehicle. It is provided with means, not illustrated, for'mounting it centrally, pivotally of the vehicle frame. customarily two such bunks would be provided,

. one at the front and one at the back of the vehicle.

Frame 10 is generally of channel shape and includes a base plate 12 and a pair of side plates 14, 16. A cover plate 18 may bewelded between side plates 14, 16 for transportation and discharge in this manner obviously is g the bunk or stake mechanism.

' Accordingly it is the general object of the present invention to provide a log bunk for logging vehicles which holds the logs securely during transportation and is provided with stakes which may be tripped without hazard to the operator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a log bunk provided with means for locking the stakes which it cardangerous, and many accidents are caused by failure of ries securely in place and for retaining them in place even though breakage of the component parts of the locking assembly should occur.

Another object of this invention is to provide a log bunk which is positive and precise in its action.

Another object of this invention is to provide a log bunk having stakes which will not work loose during use of the bunk.

Another object of this invention is to provide a log bunk having stakes which may be tripped from a remote station by the operator, who accordingly is protected from falling logs. I

Another object of this invention is to provide a log bunk having stakes which trip cleanly without the, use of following mechanism. 7 7 Another objectof this invention is to provide a log bunk having stakes which are easy to set back in locked position after tripping, there being no complicated mech anism to adjust.

Another object of this invention is to provide a log bunk the working parts of which are protected from the accumulation of dirt and debris.

Another object of this invention is to provide a log bunk which is of strong construction and may be struck by logs from any side without undue danger of breakage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a log shielding the bunk mechanism. Cross pieces 20 are welded across the frame oneat each end. Side plates 14,16 extend beyond plate 12 at each end of theframe, the extensions being of greater width'than the body of the side plates. Plates 22 are welded across the bottom of the side plate extensionsi, This forms a chamber for reception of the stake mounting andoper; atiiig mechanism. t

Stakes 24 are pivotally mounted one at each end of the bunk frame, and may be generally rectangular in cross section. Thus theycomprise afront plate 26, a back plate 28 and a pair of side plates 30, 32. r j The stake side plates are of substantial length and overlie the extensions of side plates 14, 16 of the bunk frame. Back plates 28 of the stakes are of restricted length, their lower ends extending, when the stake isin latched position, to approximately the upper edge of bunk frame 10. Front plates 26 of the stakes arelonger than the back plates thereof and extend across and seal off the front of the chamber formed in part'by the plates of which the bunk frame is composed. 1 1 For mounting the stakes pivotally there are provided pins 34 extending through bunk frame side plates 14, 16 at the lower portions of the terminal extensions thereof, as well as through side plates 30, 32 of the stakes. Hence the stakes can be moved angularly between raised positions in which a log load is retained on the vehicle, and lowered positions in which the logs may be discharged from the vehicle. Latch means are providedfor releasably locking the stakes in their raised positions. To this end, latch blocks 36 are welded across the bottom portion of the stakes, and latches 40 positioned. for engagement therewith.

Thelatches comprise shank and head portions and are pivotally mounted on pins 42 extending between side plates 14, 16 of the bunk frame. Suitable springs 44 are provided for urging. the latches normally to their advanced, latchingposition. r V h V The respective heads of the latches are providedwith angled latching surfaces 46, dimensioned for engagement with latch blocks 36. Also, the latch heads are formed with angled front surfaces 48. These are dimensioned for frictional engagement with abutment blocks 50 welded between the side plates 14, 16 of the bunk frame 10.

The latch tripping means employed comprises cams including cam plates 52, 54 having cam rollers 56 rotatably mounted therebetween. The bottom ends of the Patented Mar. 25, 1958 releaseaotthe Qlatcheshwhemfthe,stakes are ,to b e ltiwe id.

f Rods 60 .areprovidedffonactuatingthe,camsand hence, for relea singthe stakes. One. end of, each nod is'pivotallv connectedto La pin 62 extending Lbetweenlcam plates 52,. 54. The .other .enchof .e a'ch: rodI'is: connected, by. means of-a pinr64 v-toatripilever 66. i The. trip levers inlturn, are .pivotally. mounted -in slots-1 68 in lbasefl plate 12..ofl the bunk frameby means .;.oL pins l70 extending'across the slots.

Suitable retaining meansareprovidei fonholding levers 66 -whenlthe latches :are in locked position. lnthe'lillustrated form, such retainingzmeansjcompriseepring pressed clamps/72 mounted. slidably-rthrough the base plate. and dimensioned .for receiving the ends of levers '66. When retainersf72 areremoved-from levers .66, the leversmay be moved=downwardly as indicated-by thearrows on the, left-hand 'side of'j'Fig l. "This in turn moves, to their retractedzpositions, the corresponding .cams,.permitting releaseand lowering ofilthe stakes.

Means" furthenare provided. for sealing .oftithe working parts, of the, latches -to. prevent Eaccessof bark fragments,

dirt aiid'bther'dfebris. "Accdrdin'gly'there are provided.

flaps 74 vvh'ichxare clamped ,ito cross piecesn20' by means of plates 76 varidiboltsiT78. T-hesehseal 'o'tffthe openings egrpose'd when' the, stakesgare lowered, as-.is par ticula'rly helatchesl-inlockedi assemblies are kept free from debris by the sealing action offiaps 74 and plates'80. A '7 Having thus described my invention in preferred embodiments, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

I 1. A log bunk comprising a frame adapted for mounting transversely of a vehicle, :a--stake having a hollow lowe'rend,;. pivot-. means securing. theqstakeat ,said lower end to an end of the frame tor. movement of "the stake between raised and lowered positions, a latch block on the-stake Within said'hollow lower end, .an:abutment blo'ck on theframe within the'hollow lowerend of thestake whe'nfthe; latter istin. raised, position;v the abutment block being spaced fromrthe latch block, a latch, having a shank and a head, pivofmeanssecuring' saidshank to the frame 'for pivotal movement of the head within the hollow lower end of the stake into releasable abutment with the latch bIQQk and-abutment bloekrfor-seeuring :the'stake in raised Posi on r sil en .mean -be wee f a an l chrandr nter epti he istak ea t bed fls ts re ili nt y: br b apparent from a icon'sideration of the rightihand ,stake,

assemblyof Fig.1. v I r ,Platesi 80j also are provided to: span the openings across thebotto'ms ofthe' stakes.' It will be apparent that when the stakes are, in lowered position, theirin'teriors arerexposed and ,Smay. accumulate debris. 'This debris then would; beiintroduced into'the locking mechanism when the stakes are raised. I Plates80 prevent the accumulation o debris in thejstakes andhenceovercome' this Idifiichlty; IThe operation "of the herein described bunk, assembly ur ing -r ai sing- .;of nthe latter eamr meansimounted p vo alo -th f m z' n oner vsl en in t e la h. e e el a ably sequ n l t hhea s n t kecuri Pos io a daea opera n :me s o n q hH m. mean and sxt nd a tt an t d o e opposit 'KQJQOITZQPWQQQIL r x end dr said ,1 move the carnameanstbetweenglatch securing and latchreleasing positions.

. -1?--.-- 1e n -wm r ne alfr da r-mo ming.titansversely of a ;vehicle, a stake having a hollow lower.,-end,; .pi votmeansssecuring the. stake .at: said lower endg-to an ende of the-frame; for movement .of. :the stake between raised and lowered positions, a -latch blocklon the stake within said hollow lower-end, anabutrnentblock on the frame .within, the.- hollowlower end-ofi-therstake when the latter is in: raised position, 'theabutmentblock' is readily apparent" from the'foregoing and ifrorn'thedrawings. When logs are loadedintothe V'ehicle, the stakes are"in5"their upright po'sition, i. e. the left hand position of Eig.", l. lLatchesAO aresecurelyiseatedagainst latch bloeks136. fl'Ihelcams. associated with them-Lare securely situated Iwbeneath .Ithe laiches ..to ,preventtheir,.becorning unlafchd. Levers r66. connectedltoathe cams ,aIfiZSfiCll-I'Gd in retainers. 72;-for-,- the; same purpose. Theitorwardiends of the .-.latches are -securely g engaged: against :abutment blocks250. ?Accord inglyqtheplatches 5 aI6;10Ckd,. iIl: =.fl'0m allg ijdes ,ziarid ;can not iibecome unlatched even; though failurenofa 'onesorzsmore.tof: the izcomponentzparts: 10f the assembly'ish'ould occu'nf k F leakfte'rzthe logsihavefibeen transported to' their destination,

. one orthe othenor both, of levers 66, arer'eleased from retainerf'n, lThis 'action withdraws the cams f froni beneatlr the' latches whereupon' the stakes swingidownwardly, During the release of each stake-the operator stands at the oppositeside'of thejvehicle,"where he is out of danger. Also; as the'stakes'are released, -they break away 1cleanly and there are'norhainsg-rods, or other following mechanism 10 impair the efficiency of I the stake release action. Fufthermoreywhen '-the"stakes are released". and logsydis. charged over them, the interiors of the'bunk'and stake being spaced from the latch .block,.a.latchlhaving a shank and a head, pivot means securing-said shank to. the frame forpivotalomovement of .itheg head through ,an opening in the framel into releasable abutmentwith .-.the. latch block, andabutment: block for securing the stake inraised position, .resilientmeansbetween .thetrame rand. latch and hormally urging the latch head to said stake secuting position,.the..head havinganoblique: surfaee inclined ,up-

I wardly. inmthe stake .{raising .direction., and arrangedtointercept "the stake. and to he deflected; resiliently by: the stake during raising of the latter, cam meanssmounted pivotallyi'onttheaframe. and operatively engaging the latch for. releasably; securing. .the..1atch. head .in stake-securing position, link means connected toithe.cammeansand/eX- tending toward -,the:.end of. .the bunk. opposite said stake, leyerimeans on lthe. extepdediend; lot the link means .for movinggtheieam meanibetweenllatclesecuring and latchr'eleas'ingfpo'sitions', and flekible: sealing means. mounted on; the .frame. and normallyiabuttingt thei stakeswhen .the

latter'li's in.raised position and-movablejupon lowering ofthestak'e to overlie'the-latch head-and sealoff the. said openingzintheframe. V

ner r ees eited-nrfthein eowns patent r LUNTTEDCSTATESZPAIENIS 

